BIG OCCASION: Union Minister T. Subbarami Reddy flanked by new GVMC Mayor and Deputy Mayor Pulusu Janardhana Rao and K. Dorabbayi at a public meeting in the city on Monday.— Photo: C. V. Subrahmanyam

VISAKHAPATNAM: Pulusu Janardhana Rao, the new Mayor of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, formally assumed office on Monday evening. Union Minister of State for Mines T. Subbarami Reddy, AP Technology Services Chairman Koyya Prasada Reddy, MLAs S. Ranga Raju, T.Gurumurthy Reddy and Karri Sitaramu were present on the occasion.

The Mayor entered the impressive chamber, refurbished as part of the ongoing work on the corporation office, at the auspicious time of 7.21 p.m. amid vedic chants. Deputy Mayor K. Dorabbayi, Additional Commissioners P.Bhaskar and N. Mohana Rao, corporators and the Mayor's family members were present. A large number of his supporters, party men and officials greeted him on the occasion.

Speaking at a public meeting before the new Mayor assumed office, Mr. Subbarami Reddy said every year Rs.2,000 crores would be spent on the development of the city. He said Union Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy had given an assurance to the effect.

Among the new schemes that the city would get were Rs.200 crores for underground drainage in Visakhapatnam II constituency and Rs.40 crores for water supply in Gajuwaka.

Reiterating his firm commitment to the development of the city, Mr. Subbarami Reddy said though he was a Union Minister he would visit lanes and bylanes with local MLAs and corporators to improve the city in the next three-four years.

The Union Minister who participated in the public meeting along with MLAs S.Ranga Raju, T.Gurumurthy Reddy and Karri Sitaramu and AP Technology Services Chairman Koyya Prasada Reddy said Commercial Taxes Minister Konathala Ramakrishna could not attend the meeting as he was down with fever for the past three days. District Congress president and Parawada MLA Gandi Babji and Visakhapatnam One MLA Dronamraju Srinivasa Rao were conspicuous by their absence.

`Gratitude'

Mr. Janardhana Rao expressed his gratitude on behalf of fishermen community to the Chief Minister and PCC president for giving the mayor post to the Backward Classes though it was not earmarked for them.

He said he would endeavour to improve amenities in the city by taking the guidance of MPs, Ministers and MLAs and working in tandem with corporators. Water supply, street lighting, roads and drainage would get priority.

Deputy Mayor K.Dorabbayi vowed to work sincerely and serve people.

President of Kosta Matsyakarula Samkshema Sangham Santaram spoke. Earlier, the leaders and the Mayor and Deputy Mayor came in a big rally from the airport to the venue of the meeting.

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